Toronto Blessing / Holy Laughter
The belief that uncontrollable laughter, animal sounds, convulsions, and chaotic behavior are manifestations of the Holy Spirit
What Is It?
The Toronto Blessing (also called 'Holy Laughter') refers to the charismatic revival that began in January 1994 at the Toronto Airport Vineyard (later renamed Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, then Catch The Fire) under John and Carol Arnott. The movement is characterized by manifestations such as uncontrollable laughter, roaring like lions, barking like dogs, shaking, jerking, being 'slain in the spirit,' rolling on the floor, and other bizarre physical behaviors — all claimed to be works of the Holy Spirit. These manifestations contradict the biblical fruit of the Spirit (which includes self-control), Paul's clear teaching that God is not a God of disorder, and the biblical command to test all spirits. The Holy Spirit produces order, holiness, and Christlikeness — not chaos, animal behavior, and loss of self-control. David Wilkerson, a faithful minister, warned powerfully against this movement.
Key Errors
- Claims chaotic, uncontrollable behavior is from the Holy Spirit
- Promotes animal sounds (roaring, barking) as 'spiritual manifestations'
- Contradicts the fruit of the Spirit — especially self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Violates Paul's command that all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40)
- Elevates experience and emotion above Scripture
- Encourages 'soaking' and passivity rather than biblical discernment
- Spread through 'impartation' — a practice without biblical foundation
Scripture Refutation
1 Korinthierbrevet 14:33
“Ty Gud är inte oordningens Gud utan fridens. Så som det är i alla de heligas församlingar.”
God is not a God of disorder but of peace. The chaos of Toronto — screaming, animal sounds, convulsions — is the opposite of divine peace and order.
1 Korinthierbrevet 14:40
“Men allt skall ske på ett värdigt sätt och med ordning.”
Everything must be done decently and in order. The Toronto manifestations are the opposite — chaos, confusion, and undignified behavior.
Galaterbrevet 5:22-23
“Andens frukt däremot är kärlek, glädje, frid, tålamod, vänlighet, godhet, trohet, mildhet och självbehärskning.”
Self-control (självbehärskning) is a FRUIT of the Holy Spirit. Uncontrollable laughter, shaking, and loss of bodily control are the OPPOSITE of the Spirit's fruit. If the Spirit produces self-control, then loss of control cannot be from the Spirit.
1 Johannesbrevet 4:1
“Mina älskade, tro inte varje ande utan pröva andarna om de kommer från Gud. Ty många falska profeter har gått ut i världen.”
Test the spirits! The Toronto movement discourages testing and instead demands that participants 'receive' without questioning. This is the opposite of biblical discernment.
Matteusevangeliet 24:24
“Ty falska messiasgestalter och falska profeter skall träda fram och göra stora tecken och under för att om möjligt bedra även de utvalda.”
Jesus warned that false signs and wonders would be so convincing that even the elect could be deceived. Signs alone do not validate a ministry — the fruit and doctrine must be tested.
2 Thessalonikerbrevet 2:9-10
“Den laglöses ankomst är ett verk av Satan och sker med stor makt, med lögnens alla tecken och under och med all slags orättfärdig bedräglighet.”
Satan operates with counterfeit signs and wonders. Not every supernatural manifestation is from God — deceptive signs are a hallmark of the enemy.
2 Korinthierbrevet 11:14
“Och det är inte att undra på. Satan själv förklär sig till en ljusets ängel.”
Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Spiritual experiences that feel powerful are not automatically from God — they must be tested against Scripture.
2 Timotheosbrevet 4:3-4
“Det skall komma en tid då människor inte längre står ut med den sunda läran utan skaffar sig den ena läraren efter den andra, efter sina egna begär, för att få det som kliar i öronen. De vägrar att lyssna till sanningen och vänder sig till myter.”
People will turn away from sound doctrine to have their ears tickled. The Toronto movement prioritizes exciting experiences over sound biblical teaching.
Historical Context
The Toronto Blessing began on January 20, 1994, when Randy Clark, influenced by Rodney Howard-Browne's 'holy laughter' ministry, spoke at the Toronto Airport Vineyard pastored by John and Carol Arnott. The 'anointing' traced a chain of impartation: Rodney Howard-Browne (South Africa) brought 'laughing revival' to the US, prayed over Randy Clark, who then brought it to Toronto. This chain connects directly to the Word of Faith/prosperity movement through Howard-Browne and Benny Hinn. Attendees began falling, laughing uncontrollably, shaking, and making animal sounds — described by observers as 'a cross between a jungle and a farmyard.' The church held nightly meetings for over twelve years. By September 1995, cumulative attendance reached approximately 600,000 including 20,000 Christian leaders. In December 1995, the Vineyard Association under John Wimber disassociated the church due to extreme manifestations and refusal to follow Vineyard guidelines. It was renamed Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (later Catch The Fire). Notably, unconverted journalist Mick Brown of the Daily Telegraph experienced the identical manifestations when prayed for — yet stated it made no difference to his unbelief, raising the question: if these are the Holy Spirit, why would an unbeliever experience them identically without conviction of sin? The movement spread globally through 'impartation' conferences, influencing Bethel Church (Bill Johnson) and the Pensacola Brownsville Revival. David Wilkerson was among the most prominent Pentecostal critics, warning in his 'Weird Manifestations' sermon: 'The Holy Ghost who wrote this book — would He cause a minister to laugh so he cannot preach this word?' Critics also noted disturbing parallels between Toronto manifestations and Hindu kundalini experiences (shaking, laughing, falling upon a guru's touch).
Continue Your Research
Explore more doctrines and learn to discern truth from error using Scripture.